GRS
GRS is a voluntary international certification standard for products containing recycled materials, which defines requirements for traceability of raw material origin and for environmental, social, and chemical management in processing steps.
Contents6 sections
Definition and Overview
GRS is an international product standard based on third-party certification for textile products and the like that contain recycled materials. It requires not only that recycled materials are used, but also that the chain linking distribution and processing from raw material to product is managed.
It is not a law or a material name, but a certification standard. Therefore, “GRS textile” does not refer to weave structure or hand feel. It must be handled by confirming the scope of certification, the certified business operator, and the applicable production lot.
Scope and Basic Concept of the Standard
Under GRS, in addition to meeting the specified conditions for recycled material content in products, supply chain management is verified. Recycled materials within scope include those derived from post-consumer products and those derived from recovered materials generated in the manufacturing process.
In the processing stage, requirements related to environmental consideration, workers' social aspects, and chemical management are also addressed. Therefore, GRS certification does not independently guarantee only the recycled content ratio or only the safety of the textile.
- Recycled origin and content conditions of certified products and materials
- Chain of custody management from raw material to product
- Environmental and social requirements at processing facilities
- Chemical management for dyes, auxiliaries, and similar substances
What to Check When Procuring Textiles and Making Products
When procuring textiles, confirm with the supplier the material composition ratio, the type and percentage of recycled material, and the certified textile lot. Even if the textile itself is within the certification scope, if downstream processes such as cutting, sewing, and printing are not linked to certification management, the finished product may not be handled as GRS.
If certification labeling is planned for the finished product, organize each process from the early planning stage, including textile, lining, interlining, trims, processing, and sewing. The extent to which each element is included in the certification scope varies by specification, so it is important to confirm according to the factory and certification body’s operation.
- Validity of the supplier's certificate and certification scope
- Whether a transaction certificate exists for the textile lot
- Certification status of processing and sewing businesses through to the finished product
- Consistency between composition labels and claims regarding recycled materials
Points to Note About Labeling and Certificates
A business operator's certificate shows that the operator or site is certified, and by itself does not prove that an individual textile or finished product is certified. For individual transactions, check the transaction certificate that confirms the product, quantity, trading partner, and other details.
When using the GRS name or logo on products, hangtags, EC pages, and similar materials, align it with the certified scope and the contents of the certificate documentation. Care must be taken not to apply the GRS label to non-certified products that only contain recycled materials, or to make environmental claims that exceed the certified scope.
Differences from Similar Terms
Recycled polyester is the name for polyester made using recycled materials. GRS, on the other hand, is a certification standard that includes supply chain and processing requirements in addition to the recycled nature of the raw material. Even if polyester is recycled, it is not necessarily a GRS-certified product.
GOTS is a certification mainly for organic textile products, and its main focus differs from GRS in terms of raw material. Oeko-Tex and bluesign also relate to the chemical and environmental aspects of textile products, but the scope for handling traceability of recycled materials and the certification system are not the same.
Frequently Asked Questions
If the textile is GRS-certified, can the finished garment also be labeled GRS?
Not necessarily. To label the finished product, certification management that includes cutting, sewing, and processing after the textile stage, as well as certificate documentation corresponding to the relevant transaction, is required. Whether labeling is permitted is confirmed by checking the materials and processes used against the certification scope.
What is the difference between a GRS certificate and a transaction certificate?
A certificate shows that the business operator or site falls within the certification scope and manages operations in accordance with the standard. A transaction certificate is a document that shows the item, quantity, trading partner, and other details for a specific transaction. When confirming procurement of textiles or products, the two should be checked separately.
Does using recycled polyester make it GRS?
No. Recycled polyester is the name of a material, while GRS is a certification standard. Whether it can be handled as GRS is determined by whether documents supporting the origin of recycled materials, content conditions, management in certified processes, and transactions are all in place.
